Deputy Director of Estates and Digital Integration
Executive Summary We believe our campus is one of the finest in the country; we have made a heavy investment in making it an exciting and inspiring place in which to study and work. Located in the heart of Leicester, DMU's campus blends the historical and the new, reflecting the great tradition of our home city and its buildings, while creating a legacy. Our buildings and facilities are all within walking distances of each other and only a five-minute walk from the city centre. The centrepiece is the stunning Vijay Patel Building with an open top roof seating area, the new home of our art and design courses. There is also our newly refurbished Campus Centre, home of the De Montfort Students' Union, our striking Hugh Aston building, for business and law, our magnificent 19th-century Hawthorn building for health and life sciences, and many others. DMU is also known for its commitment to employability, innovation, and impactful research. The university integrates real-world experience into its curriculum and has strong links with industry, helping students gain valuable skills for their careers. As the UK’s only United Nations-designated Global Hub for Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), DMU is dedicated to social justice, sustainability, and empowering communities. With a focus on inclusivity, creativity, and academic excellence, DMU continues to shape futures and make a positive difference in society. The newly created Deputy Director of Estates and Digital Integration post will play a critical role in ensuring we deliver a high-performing, safe, sustainable, and digitally advanced estate. The post- holder will support the Director in strategic leadership and operational management across all Estates functions, with direct accountability for Maintenance, Capital Projects, Energy Management, and Digital Integration. The role combines strategic and operational oversight of the estate with the integration of innovative digital technologies. If you are an estates leader with a track record of delivering innovation across a comparable diverse and complex estate, we would love to hear from you.
Campus Masterplan
Our new ten-year Campus Masterplan outlines the long-term vision for the development and management of our physical estate. It is a critical strategic enabler for De Montfort University, outlining our long-term vision, aligned to the Empowering University strategy and supporting its delivery across five strategic themes and twenty key focus areas. This agile masterplan provides a clear blueprint to guide future decision‑making enabling the targeted consolidation, investment and development of the estate over the coming decade. It will ensure the university is able to create the necessary physical and virtual environment to successfully position itself to recruit and retain students, deliver a life-changing educational experience, produce globally recognised research and innovation and offers a working environment for staff and collaborating stakeholders that will be empowering, contemporary and of high quality. This accommodates modern working styles and eliminating underused spaces for staff, addresses the need for a more dynamic student learning environment and creates
a collaborative space for our partners and collaborators.
The masterplan supports the opportunities presented by collaborative, shared and multifunctional spaces, fit for purpose to the needs of DMU as well as embracing digital transformation and innovation to create a ‘smart campus’. The masterplan embeds new space principles that will be activated through the use of real-time occupancy data to inform campus planning to deliver a right-sized, spatially efficient campus. As a result, we will see a reduction in dedicated office and generic spaces, reflecting modern, agile working practices; an increase in social student learning spaces, giving our students the contemporary, ‘cyberphysical’ learning environment that they will increasingly expect. And crucially, we will be best positioned to support and progress DMU’s carbon reduction and sustainability commitments. The full masterplan can be viewed here, along with a video explaining some further background.
• Represent the Estates team in institutional forums, strategic working groups, and external networks related to smart estates and sustainability. General Responsibilities • Treat all DMU staff, students, contractors and visitors with dignity and respect. Provide a service that complies with the Equality Act 2010, eliminating unlawful discrimination, advancing equality of opportunity and fostering good relations with particular attention to the protected characteristics of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation. • All members of staff are responsible for their contribution to improved environmental performance and in reducing greenhouse gas emissions at DMU. It is therefore required that all members of staff are aware of how the Environmental Policy relates to their own role at the university. Staff conduct must reflect the values inherent in the Environmental Policy and where required staff must cooperate with environmental compliance and conformance requirements to help minimise our emissions to air, water and land. • Provide a service that complies with the Equality Act 2010, eliminating unlawful discrimination, advancing equality of opportunity and fostering good relations with particular attention to the protected characteristics of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation.
and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
• Maximise energy-saving opportunities through digital retrofits and BMS enhancements across existing buildings. Digital Integration and Smart Estates • Develop and implement a comprehensive digital integration strategy for the university estate, in collaboration with the Digital and Technology Services team and the Chief Transformation and Resources Officer. • Oversee the deployment and integration of digital twin and IoT devices to monitor and control energy, space and building control systems. • Manage and oversee the purchase, install and operation of new EMMS, CAFM system. Ensure integration with SFG20 and follow best practice. • Utilise data analytics and machine learning tools to analyse building performance data, identify trends, and implement predictive maintenance strategies. • Ensure that estates digital systems comply with relevant standards, such as ISO (where applicable), and support the university’s sustainability targets. • Collaborate with Digital and Technology Services to ensure seamless integration of digital platforms and maintain robust cybersecurity measures. • Promote an inspirational culture of estates digital innovation and continuous improvement across all areas of Estates operations.
Job Description
Job title: Deputy Director of Estates and Digital Integration Faculty/Directorate: Estates & Facilities Directorate Grade: PSS4 Role profile: Senior Salaried Full time Permanent
Overall purpose of the role The Deputy Director of Estates and Digital Integration plays a critical role in delivering a high-performing, safe, sustainable, and digitally advanced estate. The post-holder will support the Director in strategic leadership and operational management across all Estates functions, with direct accountability for Maintenance, Capital Projects, Energy Management, and Digital Integration. The role combines strategic and operational oversight of the estate with the integration of innovative digital technologies. Capital Projects Delivery • Oversee the successful delivery of minor and major capital projects, ensuring alignment with academic and strategic priorities. • Oversee, with our Capital Project Managers, project design, procurement,
budget control, programme management, and stakeholder engagement. • Champion post-occupancy evaluation and the integration of digital commissioning and asset data handover into our BMS, Computer Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) system and our Building Information Modelling (BIM). Energy Management • Lead initiatives to reduce the university’s carbon footprint through intelligent energy management and sustainable building practices. • Implement occupant-centric control strategies that adjust building systems based on real-time occupancy and user preferences to enhance comfort and reduce energy consumption. • Monitor and report on energy usage across the estate, identifying opportunities for improvement
Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration • Build strong relationships with
academic leads, professional service directors, and the student body to understand estate needs and priorities. • Act as the Estates lead for digital activities, working with Digital and Technology Services to ensure cybersecurity, integration, and data governance.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training Essential •
Leadership and Management Competencies Essential • Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and develop a performance-oriented, customer-focused culture. • Demonstrated ability to manage complex stakeholder engagement, particularly across digital and estates interfaces. • Competence in overseeing multi- million-pound budgets and optimising value-for-money outcomes. • Proven capacity to implement organisational change and support digital upskilling of teams. • Commitment to sustainability, continuous improvement, and professional development. In-depth knowledge of BMS platforms, energy efficiency principles, and digital twin technology environmental controls. • Strong understanding of health and safety, CDM, and building compliance regulations. • Advanced skills in analysing estate performance data and implementing data-led solutions. Desirable • Familiarity with CAFM systems and integration with digital platforms. • Skills and Knowledge Essential • Understanding of cybersecurity and data protection in relation to building system integrations. Communication and Interpersonal Skills Essential • Excellent communication and influencing skills across a wide range of audiences, including technical and non- technical stakeholders. • Ability to present complex digital and estates information clearly at senior management and board level.
Degree-level qualification in a relevant subject (e.g., Estates
Management, Engineering, Building Services, Facilities, Digital Systems, or Construction). Desirable • Postgraduate qualification or chartered membership of a professional body (e.g., IWFM, RICS, CIBSE, IET). • Evidence of continuous professional development in smart buildings, BMS or estates digitalisation. Extensive leadership experience in estates operations including capital projects, maintenance, or facilities management within a complex organisation. • Proven track record of delivering building capital projects from concept to completion, including budget and contractor management. • Experience of utilising and embedding digital twin technology to proactively identify, model, and implement interventions for optimising Experience Essential • estates and facilities management, ensuring predictive maintenance, energy efficiency, and operational improvements while ensuring cyber and information security. • Demonstrable experience of leading digital innovation or transformation programmes in an estates or facilities context. • Experience in managing compliance frameworks, asset lifecycle planning, and statutory building maintenance. Desirable • Experience of working in a higher education or large public sector environment.
THE EMPOWERING UNIVERSITY
COMMUNITY-MINDED
OUR MISSION
Discovering gateways of opportunity that empower students, staff and our community to create a fairer society.
OUR VISION
Creating a community of participation, fairness and collective responsibility; transforming individual lives and championing a fair and sustainable society.
OUR VALUES
We support each other, we value difference and are honest and compassion- ate towards others. Together we will be courageous in exploring possibilities, breaking down barriers and re-imagining new horizons.
Rewards and Benefits
At DMU, we are committed to creating an environment where our employees enjoy working. We strive to reward and recognise your contributions but also know that you have life beyond work. DMU offers a comprehensive set of rewards, benefits and services staff can take advantage of. Generous annual leave entitlement Senior staff receive 35 days annual leave. In addition to your annual leave entitlement, you’ll also receive statutory bank holidays and extra concessionary days (approximately 13 days each year). Work-life balance working options We offer a range of options to ensure that you benefit from a healthy work-life balance. We offer a hybrid working arrangement, with an expectation of 2–3 days per week on campus to support team connection and collaboration . Depending on your role and responsibilities, you have the opportunity to apply for options such as flexible hours (for example, staggered working hours and nine-day fortnights), parental leave, study leave and sabbaticals.
Wellbeing We are committed to continually improving our staff health and wellbeing services so you are empowered to be at your very best at work and beyond. Our Employee Assistance Programme supports staff who could benefit from information or counselling for practical, emotional, financial or health-related challenges. As well as support for a life crisis, it includes advice and guidance for life events such as getting married or moving house, and everyday concerns such as childcare. The free and confidential service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our location DMU’s beautifully landscaped campus is based in the heart of Leicester, giving you easy access to all the shops and facilities of a cosmopolitan city. In contrast to the city centre, the River Soar, which runs alongside campus, and nearby Castle Park offer peaceful and picturesque places you can retreat to.
Our campus offers many places to eat, drink and meet, as well as a range of facilities such as shower rooms and rail ticket machines. We’re also within walking distance of a number of convenient public transport links, the Highcross shopping centre and historic Leicester Market. Our faculties also organise a number of shows and presentations throughout the academic year which staff can to enjoy. Other benefits • Pension scheme – join a pension scheme to help you plan for the future. • Health cash plan – spread the cost of healthcare and claim back money for medical expenses experienced by you or your dependent children. • Annual leave purchase – buy additional days of annual leave through manageable salary deductions. • Cycle to work – make healthier choices and reduce your carbon footprint, plus benefit from tax and national insurance savings on the cost of a new bike and safety accessories. • Lifestyle savings – access a lifestyle and travel discounts website.
• Gym membership – join the QEII Leisure Centre at a discounted price and access a range of facilities, including a 25-metre swimming pool and a climbing wall. • Library membership – access the DMU libraries. • Private healthcare – certain roles at DMU enable you to join the Universities and Colleges Personal Healthcare Scheme at your own expense.
Full details about our rewards and benefits are available on our website.
How to Apply
We are being supported on this recruitment campaign by the search consultancy The Management Recruitment Group (MRG).
To arrange a confidential briefing conversation please contact our advisors:
Michael Hewlett michael.hewlett@mrgglobal.com
Ben Duffill ben.duffill@mrgglobal.com
Applications should consist of a comprehensive CV and a covering letter outlining your motivation for applying. Please forward to michael.hewlett@mrgglobal.com The closing date for applications is Sunday 7 th December 2025.
Interviews will take place at DMU on Monday 22nd December 2025.
Page 1 Page 2-3 Page 4-5 Page 6-7 Page 8-9 Page 10-11 Page 12-13 Page 14Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator